With weeks of dry, sunny weather and temperatures sitting close to 30°C across Surrey and Berkshire, summer has well and truly settled in. The school holidays are now underway, gardens are in full colour and the long, bright evenings show this part of the world at its very best. If you are selling your home this summer, conditions like these can work firmly in your favour.
Buyers are not simply viewing a property at this time of year. They are experiencing the surroundings and imagining what life could be like there. The homes that stand out are the ones prepared with that in mind.
So, if you are selling your home this summer, where should your attention go? Here are the areas of your home we would encourage every seller in Virginia Water, Wentworth Estate, Sunningdale and the neighbouring villages to focus on over the weeks ahead.
If you’re considering selling your property or moving to the area, take a moment to browse our Properties for sale in Wentworth Estate, Properties for sale in Virginia Water and the surrounding areas. If you have any questions, you can also visit our award-winning website or call us on 01344 843000 and email us.
Focus on the lifestyle, not just the property
A beautiful home will always attract attention, but buyers in our local market are looking beyond the front door. Think of a walk around scenic Virginia Water Lake, an afternoon in Windsor Great Park or a round of golf at Wentworth. Add lunch in a local pub or restaurant and you have a picture of everyday life here. During the summer months, those experiences are at their very best.
As a seller, your job is to let the property tell that story. Set the patio as if a long lunch is about to be served. Open up the doors so the garden feels like part of the house. If you have a pool, an outdoor kitchen or a shaded seating area, make sure it looks ready to be used rather than tidied away.
When buyers can picture hosting barbecues, children making the most of the school holidays in the garden and long evenings outdoors, interest turns into offers.
Focus on your garden and outdoor spaces
After weeks with very little rain, and with hosepipe restrictions now in place across Surrey and Berkshire, a little care goes a long way. A watering can, used in the cooler evening hours, will keep pots and borders looking loved. Staying on top of deadheading also helps beds hold their colour through late summer. Buyers will not expect a lush green lawn in this weather, so focus your energy where it shows.
Features that buyers increasingly value come into their own in this weather. Mature trees providing shade, covered patio areas, swimming pools and air-conditioning all become genuine selling points when temperatures climb. Make sure each one is presented at its best and pointed out during viewings.
Keep viewings cool and comfortable
A warm, welcoming home is one thing. A stuffy one is quite another. Open windows early in the day to let cooler air circulate, then close blinds and curtains on the sunniest side before viewings so rooms stay pleasant.
Simple touches make a noticeable difference. Fresh flowers, cold drinks on offer and any air-conditioning quietly doing its work all help buyers relax and take their time. That is exactly what you want.
The long evenings help here too. Scheduling viewings for later in the day means buyers arrive once the heat has eased, while the property is still filled with natural light.
Make the most of summer photography
There is a reason so many properties are photographed during the summer months. Flowers are in bloom and outdoor spaces become natural extensions of the home.
If you are selling your home this summer, prioritise getting your professional photography booked in while the garden is looking its best. Those images will carry your marketing well beyond the summer, so it pays to capture the property now rather than waiting for the season to turn.
Price and time it right for summer buyers
Although the summer holidays are now in full swing, this remains an active time in the property market. Families often hope to have a move agreed before the new school year begins in late August/early September, while international buyers regularly visit the area over the summer.
That makes pricing your most important decision when selling your home this summer. Well-presented homes continue to attract strong interest, but only when they are priced correctly and marketed to the right audience. Launching at the right figure, at the right moment, is what turns summer viewings into a summer sale.
Lean on our experience
Every home is different, and every move has its own priorities. Understanding the local market, buyer expectations and the best way to present a property can make a significant difference when bringing a home to market.
At Barton Wyatt, we have been part of the Virginia Water and Wentworth community since 1965. In an area as distinctive as this, buyers are often looking for more than square footage or the number of bedrooms. They are choosing a location, a community and a lifestyle. Knowing how to highlight those qualities is just as important as presenting the property itself. After three generations of selling homes here, telling that story is what we do best.
Plan ahead for moving day in the heat
If your move coincides with particularly warm weather, a little planning goes a long way. Begin your move as early as possible while temperatures are cooler and keep plenty of water available for everyone involved. If you have children, the elderly, or pets, arrange for them to spend the hottest part of the day somewhere cool and away from the activity.
It is also worth having a dedicated box for essentials and a quick to grab suitcase so everything you’ll need is easy to find when you arrive at your new home. Ours would include:
- Important documents – Passports, moving docs, contracts
- Keys – Car key and spare keys, new house keys
- Valuables – From jewellery to expensive electronics
- Medication – Prescription, first aid and pain relief
- Fuel for you – Keep snacks and drinks in easy reach, the kettle and kitchen essentials where you can quickly find them
- Chargers – For phones, laptops and tablets
- Pet food – Wet and dry food and water bowls
- Essential toiletries – Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush and paste, hairbrush, towel, toilet paper
- A spare set of clothes – Something to sleep in and fresh clothes for the first morning in your new home.
For more practical advice, take a look at our previous blog on moving house in a heatwave where we share additional tips to help you stay safe and make moving day as stress free as possible.
Thinking of selling your home this summer?
This summer’s glorious weather is a reminder of how much the seasons can influence the way a home is experienced. Focus your attention on the areas above and you will give buyers every reason to imagine themselves living there.
If you are considering selling your home this summer, now is an excellent time to understand what your property could achieve in the current market. Our team would be pleased to provide a confidential, no obligation valuation and discuss the best approach for your home.
GET IN TOUCH
If you are thinking of moving in or out of the area, make sure you take a look at our amazing catalogue of Properties for sale in Wentworth Estate, Properties for sale in Virginia Water and the surrounding areas. If you’d like to speak to someone about properties to let in Virginia Water, a member of our expert team would be happy to help. You can call us on 01344 843000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instaram, and LinkedIn to stay updated.
